Florida grapefruit: Ag officials push fruit overseas, South Korea

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida grapefruit will be featured on Outback Steakhouse menus in South Korea, underscoring the fruit's popularity in that country.

State Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Tuesday that a "Fresh From Florida" grapefruit cocktail will be on the restaurant chain's spring/summer menu. There are 110 Outback Steakhouses in South Korea.

According to state agriculture statistics, the volume of Florida grapefruit exports to South Korea has grown more than 400 percent since 2007 to more than 358,000 cartons this year.

From January through March, Florida is the source for more than 80 percent of all U.S. grapefruit exports, reaching almost $100 million in 2013.

In 2013, South Korea received more than $52.5 million worth of Florida agricultural products.

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